New Zealand-based PC case manufacturer NZXT has unveiled its latest iteration of the popular H7 series, dubbed H7 Flow RGB. As its name suggests, this compact powerhouse boasts impressive airflow and an abundance of customizable RGB lighting to elevate any gaming setup.

While the latest 2024 model doesn’t represent a groundbreaking innovation, it does introduce a notable change to its predecessor from two years prior – a vertically-mounted power supply unit (PSU) for enhanced airflow and reduced clutter. Within its compact dimensions, this case offers an abundance of space for water-cooled components such as radiators, high-performance graphics cards, and CPU coolers, making it an impressive feat of interior design. The $150 RGB mannequin boasts a 360mm fan body with three embedded 120mm fans that harmonize nicely with the radiant RGB lighting emanating from the front mesh panel.

While the PC case market is saturated within the $100-$150 price range, NZXT’s H7 Circulate RGB (2024) stands out with its unique features and aesthetic appeal that sets it apart from competitors. Perched upon entrance and rear ledges, this device elevates its slender fan mount above your desk, while the transparent side panel stretches almost seamlessly from front to back. As a result of the outer panels functioning as miniature mud filters, the interior of this system appears remarkably clean, further enhancing its capacity to support large radiators.

If you want to water cool your PC with multiple radiators or opt for a large all-in-one (AIO) cooler or air cooler in your CPU, there’s significant potential here for both camps, and I’ll examine how its three integrated 120mm fans perform effectively.

The redesigned case’s options focus on simplifying the construction of a gaming PC, featuring tool-free panels and other premium features that users have come to expect from high-end cases. With its innovative vertical PSU mount, this design stands out from the H7 Circulate by liberating the entire lower compartment for fans and radiators, much like a dual-chambered case, yet without the bulky footprint that typically accompanies such configurations.

Specs

Design

Despite its unique vertically mounted power supply, the NZXT H7 Circulate RGB features a conventional design that accommodates E-ATX motherboards up to 277mm wide. While the power supply unit’s rear-mounted design provides ample space to manage cables, it also enables efficient concealment, whether ahead of the PSU or through various routing channels featuring secure Velcro cable attachments.

The case presents a robust and expertly crafted appearance. With exterior panels that detach effortlessly without requiring any tools, you can seamlessly integrate your hardware into the system, whether you’re working with a simple setup or one that involves multiple fans and radiators. Without the need for internal mud filters, the task of maintaining cleanliness falls to the outer mesh panels, which only require occasional cleaning – typically no more than once a year – to prevent an unsightly buildup, especially on the white models.

One aspect that could have positively impacted the construction process was the inclusion of a removable fan mounting tray integrated into the roof design. Considering the case’s impressive water-cooling capabilities, this function would have been a valuable inclusion to prevent tedious tasks like simultaneously attaching multiple fans or radiators, thereby streamlining workflows for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

One potential drawback of the design is the vertically mounted power supply unit (PSU), which can have a detrimental effect. While followers in the heatsink are accommodated, they are positioned approximately 3-4 inches away from the motherboard, resulting in only a limited section of their fins aligning with the graphics card. While the mesh on the exterior panels may initially appear to be of high quality, its presence actually hampers airflow and diminishes the perceived value of added fans. We will see whether these cooling outcomes materialize later.

The case sits atop stilts at both ends, creating an empty chamber perfect for showcasing RGB lighting – a feature NZXT accommodates with its F360 RGB Core fan frames, allowing for the addition of extra fans or custom LED strips.

The bottom space has another peculiarity: a vacant space between the underside of the fan mounts here and the edge of the PSU shroud, revealing an unsightly view of your power supply and cable storage area when not occupied by fans or NZXT’s fan frames, such as the one included with the H7 Circulate RGB. The unsightly combination of a black power supply unit and a white case can truly mar an otherwise stunning setup, don’t you think?

Options

With its versatile design, the case accommodates either three 120mm fans or 360mm radiators across all three fan mounting locations; simultaneously, the entrance can be alternatively used to house either three 140mm fans or a massive 420mm radiator, while the roof offers space for two 140mm fans. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to liquid coolers or custom water cooling solutions, with a generous 185mm of clearance for CPU air coolers, as well as virtually unlimited space for GPUs.

The F360 RGB Core fan body, included with the RGB case model under review, offers seamless integration via NZXT’s RGB controller or directly to the motherboard through a 3-pin header, while also featuring a dedicated 3-pin fan header for power delivery. The single cable originates from the device, streamlining connections by minimizing tangles and complexity before diverging into its individual components – a thoughtful design approach that contrasts with the typical configuration of three 120mm fans.

With the addition of a big cable cowl next to the motherboard, you can eliminate unnecessary clutter. After connecting power to all your gear, this component can be removed or modified to conceal the likes of the 24-pin ATX connector and entrance panel cables as much as possible? Since neither model features rear or roof fans, your CPU cooler and graphics card rely solely on individual units for exhaust, with the added benefit of positive airflow pressure at the front.

If you’re working with outdated hard drives and 2.5-inch solid-state drives (SSDs), this enclosure is designed to accommodate these configurations seamlessly. The Fractal Design Meshify C has two 2.5-inch/3.5-inch drive bays and two additional dedicated 2.5-inch bays located behind the motherboard, providing ample storage options for many users. Notably, these drive bays do not compromise the case’s compatibility with a range of power supplies. The entrance panel efficiently incorporates the basic requirements, featuring two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack for seamless connectivity.

Cooling efficiency

In its unique configuration, featuring three 120mm fans at the entrance, the NZXT H7 Circulate RGB (2024) successfully kept our Core i5-12600K CPU temperature at a stable 74°C – only 2°C warmer than the NZXT H6 Circulate RGB with its angled fan setup, yet 2°C cooler than Cooler Grasp’s MasterBox TD500 Mesh V2. Notably, adding followers to the rear, roof, and base mounting points did not significantly diminish this performance metric by more than one degree.

The Radeon RX 7900 XT’s temperature, at an impressive 63°C, demonstrated exceptional aggression, dropping by 4°C compared to the NZXT H6 Circulate’s result, likely due to its significantly larger space beneath the GPU cooler and directly pointed fans. The inclusion of additional followers at the bottom effectively reduced the temperature by an additional 3°C, making it a worthwhile investment when installing a high-performance graphics card in this case.

Noise stage

The NZXT H7 Circulate’s noise level measured 41dBA, slightly lower than the 42dBA recorded by its predecessor, the H6 Circulate RGB; while not imperceptible, the fans did produce a faint, high-pitched whine when operating at maximum speed.

To ensure optimal performance and prevent unexpected losses, we strongly recommend capping follower speeds at a maximum of 75% of their full velocity or below, as this has been observed to be the threshold beyond which drones may disappear. At double speed, the fan noise dropped to a near-silent 38 decibels A-weighted (dBA), making it virtually inaudible against the background hum from the rest of the system.

Value

While the NZXT H7 Circulate RGB costs $150, its non-RGB counterpart sells for $130. Given the compact nature of this PC case, these costs seem surprisingly high, considering it still accommodates large graphics cards, which is a significant plus for gamers and content creators. This type of setup can typically be accomplished with significantly larger instances or multi-chamber designs that occupy more desk space. New Zealand-based PC case manufacturers’ flagship models, like NZXT’s H6 Circulate RGB and H9 Elite, as well as the Lian Li O11D Evo RGB, command a premium price that matches their high-end features.

While there are affordable options offering reduced cooling capacity, such as Cooler Master’s MasterBox TD500 Mesh V2, no comparable alternatives can match its cooling potential. The H7 Circulate RGB’s cooling capabilities are bolstered by its visually appealing design, making it a pleasure to work with. If the price were reduced by just $10, it would undoubtedly receive a perfect score in terms of value; nonetheless, its current moderate pricing range of $130 to $150 is still reasonable.

Alternate options

NZXT H6 Circulate RGB

For those who desire to flaunt their computer’s internal components, NZXT’s H6 Circulate RGB offers an aquarium-inspired glimpse into the heart of their PC at an unbeatable price point. Although the device lacks the compact dimensions of the H7 Circulate, its aesthetic appeal is undeniable when properly housed on a desk. Like its predecessor, the H7 Circulate, this case showcases excellent cable management opportunities and outstanding build quality.

Discover a refined review of the NZXT H6 Circulate RGB – A Comprehensive Assessment.

Verdict

While the NZXT H7 Circulate RGB certainly boasts an impressive aesthetic, its true value lies in its comprehensive support for water cooling systems, accompanied by the inclusion of three standard RGB fans. Combining its superior cooling capabilities, intuitive cable management features, tool-free panel access, and crowd-pleasing aesthetics, the NZXT H7 Circulate RGB stands out as an exemplary PC case design.

Working on this case is a genuine delight, allowing me to build a PC within its confines. While there are aspects that can be enhanced, its design remains impressive, especially considering its affordability. By incorporating a vertical PSU mount, you’ll be able to efficiently pack in substantial amounts of hardware and cooling components without the space-consuming footprint typically associated with dual-chamber cases. This case allows you to build a sleek and stylish PC without sacrificing desk space.